Generative Design > Generative Design Workflow > Define a Generative Study > Load Cases
Load Cases
A load case is a set of constraints, loads, and boundary conditions used to define a particular loading condition. You can use one or more load cases for the study. The optimization result is separately calculated for each load case. However, the final design is generated considering all the load cases associated with the model.
You can define different constraints, loads, and boundary conditions for your model, based on the type of study you have selected.
The following table lists the types of constraints, loads, and boundary conditions and the types of study applicable to them:
Type of Constraints, Loads, or Boundary Conditions
Structure Study
Thermal Study
Modal Study
The constraints, loads, and boundary conditions appear under the default load case node in the Generative Tree. In case of a structural study, a load case must have at least one load and one constraint, except special cases. Adding a displacement constraint is a special case where the constraint and displacement, together, fully define a load case.
You can define multiple load cases for the study, however, only one load case is active at a time. You can add constraints, loads, and boundary conditions only to the active load case.
Load Case Status
The following glyphs on the Generative Tree indicate the status of the load case:
Structure Study
Thermal Study
Modal Study
Description
Empty load case. No constraints, loads, or boundary conditions are defined for the load case. You must either define this load case or remove it from the study for running optimization.
Active load case. You can add constraints, loads, and boundary conditions only to the active load case.
Inactive load case.
There are issues with the load case.
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Move the pointer over the icon to see the tooltip that helps you resolve the issues.
To Create a New Load Case for the Study
To create a new load case for the study, do one of the following:
• Do one of the following:
◦ Click Add Load Case > Structural Load Case.
◦ Click Add Load Case > Modal Load Case.
• Select a load case in the Generative Tree, and on the mini toolbar click New.
A new load case node is added to the Generative Tree. It becomes the active node by default.
To Activate a Load Case
Select a load case in the Generative Tree, and on the mini toolbar click Activate. The selected load case becomes the active load case.
To Copy a Load Case
To create a copy of a load case, do one of the following:
• Right-click a load case in the Generative Tree and click Duplicate. A copy of the selected load case is created and added under the study.
• Right-click a load case in the Generative Tree and click Copy. Right-click the study node and click Paste.
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When you create a copy of a load case, the new load case is independent of the first load case. If you modify the load values in the first load case, the copied load case remains unchanged.
To Rename or Delete a Load Case
Right-click a load case in the Generative Tree and click Rename or Delete.
To Add Constraints, Loads, and Boundary Conditions to a Load Case
You can add constraints, loads, and boundary conditions in the following ways:
• Select constraints, loads, and boundary conditions from the Physics group, if you are working on the active load case.
• Select a surface in the graphics window, and on the mini toolbar select a constraint, load, or boundary condition, if you are working on the active load case.
• Drag constraints, loads, and boundary conditions from other load cases.
• Copy constraints, loads, and boundary conditions from other load cases.
To Edit Constraints, Loads, and Boundary Conditions in a Load Case
You can edit constraints, loads, and boundary conditions in one of the following ways:
• Select the constraint, load, or boundary condition in the Generative Tree, and on the mini toolbar click Edit Definition.
• Select the constraint, load, or boundary condition in the graphics window, and on the mini toolbar click Edit Definition, if it belongs to the active load case.
To Delete Constraints and Loads from a Load Case
You can delete constraints, loads, and boundary conditions in one of the following ways:
• Select the constraint, load, or boundary condition in the Generative Tree, and on the mini toolbar click Delete.
• Right-click the constraint, load, or boundary condition in the graphics window and click Delete, if it belongs to the active load case.
To Set or Unset Inertia Relief
You can set an inertia relief for a structural load case if you want to optimize a partially or completely unconstrained model by applying counteracting inertial forces.
• Right-click a load case in the Generative Tree and click Set Inertia Relief or Unset Inertia Relief.
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• When the model contains multiple load cases, you can set inertia relief to some or all of them.
• You can apply inertia relief on unconstrained or partially constrained structural load cases.
• You can apply inertia relief only on structural load sets that are added in a structural or a modal study.
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